Influence of Image Reconstruction Method on Image Quality in Digital Breast Tomosynthesis

Abstract

Purpose: Digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) imaging uses two types of image reconstruction. methods, i.e., filtered back projection (FBP) method and an iterative reconstruction (IR) method. Although the effect of the difference in the image reconstruction method on the image quality has been reported, these studies were performed using different apparatus or conditions. In this study, we examined the effect of image reconstruction on the image quality using the same equipment under the same conditions. Method: We measured reflection artifact, sharpness, signal detection ability, and granularity using DBT-photographed images by both the FBP and the IR methods. Result: Although the difference between the two methods was subtle for granularity, IR was found to be superior to FBP in all items tested. Conclusion: This study suggested the clinical usefulness of IR over FBP.